THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 800
FREE
27th September 2023
Read by more than 40,000 people each week
Lorry driver downed bottle of whisky before his journey of destruction An intoxicated lorry driver who hit the railway bridge by
was that drivers must sign to say they are fit to drive and he
Bitton Station and then carried on his journey for five
had done so.
minutes, colliding with other vehicles and causing
The prosecution said the case was aggravated by the fact that
extensive damage along the way, has received a suspended
Nolder was driving the lorry for commercial purposes and
jail sentence.
vulnerable road users had been put at risk, including children
Bristol Crown Court heard that Matthew Nolder, from Yate,
in cars that he had collided with.
had drunk a 35cl bottle of whisky and was “oblivious” to the
Nolder’s defence counsel said Nolder was “deeply remorseful
trail of debris he was causing, ignoring desperate attempts by
and ashamed”. She urged that a custodial sentence be
other road users to get him to stop.
suspended as he has the prospect of rehabilitation, has been
Video footage from the late afternoon of 6th December 2022
going to AA meetings since January, found temporary work,
was played to the court last Tuesday, including of the moment
and has the motivation to get his life back on track. She also
when the truck hit the low bridge at Bath Road. Nolder, 51,
said his family were reliant on his income.
could be seen being propelled upwards by the impact.
Passing sentence, Judge Macmillan, who had read a pre-
undergo a rehabilitation activity of up to five days.
He eventually brought his badly damaged vehicle to a halt in
sentencing report about his case, told Nolder he had caused
At the hearing at the magistrates’ court last month, Nolder
Oldland Common High Street, later saying he had been trying
a great deal of distress and fear. He had ignored the warnings
was disqualified from driving with immediate effect, but it
to find a safe place to pull over. Police detected the smell of
of other road users about the carnage he was causing.
was nonetheless more than eight months after the offence.
alcohol and a test revealed 80 microgrammes of alcohol per
She noted that after 14 years of abstinence he had relapsed
Last Tuesday the judge ruled that the ban would be for 24
100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
during the pandemic and that the incident he was before the
months and told Nolder that he will have to take an extended
Nolder, who worked for Keynsham haulage firm I J McGill
court for had cost him highly in terms of relationships. She
driving re-test before getting behind the wheel again.
and had no previous convictions, appeared at Crown Court
said he had shown “clear, genuine remorse and shame” and
She wished him the best going forward and was “confident
for sentencing, having pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates’
taken steps to address his relapse to alcohol.
this will be the last time we will see you in court”.
Court last month to one count of dangerous driving.
The judge imposed a 14-month jail term, suspended for two
The court heard that I J McGill’s insurers had dealt with the
The prosecutor told the judge that it had been 10 days too late
years, saying immediate custody would have a significant
complaints of damage caused by Nolder. The firm has not
for a charge of drink-driving to be brought against Nolder,
impact on his family. Holder’s sentence also includes 200
responded to our request for a comment following the
even though he had admitted that he had downed a bottle of
hours of unpaid work over 12 months. There is also a 120-
sentencing.
whisky before driving. She said company policy at I J McGill
day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement and he must
Also in this week’s issue
Pair from Keynsham among six sentenced over drug network . . . page 3
Latest twist in Keynsham cycle lane saga . . . pages 4&5
The badly damaged lorry
Three local stores close as CM3 chain goes bust . . . page 10
Picture credit: Chris Lacey
See also page 3
Emersons Green man fined over Kingswood fly-tip . . . page 11
2
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
County lines drug network dismantled as six are convicted Six people, including two from Keynsham, have been
estimated street value of over £38,000, as well as large knives
two counts of being in possession of criminal property and
sentenced after a county lines drug network was
and an estimated £15,000 cash.
one count of dangerous driving.
dismantled.
The lengthy investigation has now resulted in six people
Five others have also been sentenced in recent months, after
During County Lines Intensification Week in October last
being sentenced, with the last defendant being jailed at a
admitting charges of being concerned in the supply of heroin
year, five simultaneous warrants were carried out at
hearing last Tuesday. Courtney Tanner-Mulholland, 18, of
and crack cocaine. They were:
properties in Keynsham and Bath. Officers made arrests and
Keynsham, got five years after pleading guilty to charges of
Jamaal Newman, 19, of Hercules Way, Keynsham, who was
seized quantities of heroin and crack cocaine with an
being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine,
sentenced to two-and-a-half years in a young offenders’ detention centre. Lubabalo Hale, 20, of no fixed address, who was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. Oliver Lynes, 20, of Beckford Gardens, Bathwick, who was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years. He was also given a curfew, ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and to complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity order. Sylvia Bearman, 38, of Shaws Way, Twerton, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. She was also given a nine-month rehabilitation order requirement. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was sentenced to a two-year detention order in a young offenders’ centre. Newman, Hale and Lynes had also admitted an offence of being in possession of criminal property, while the 17-yearold admitted two counts of the same offence.
Clockwise starting in top left, Sylvia Bearman, Jamaal Newman, Courtney Tanner-Mulholland, Oliver Lynes & Lubabalo Hale
Investigating officer PC James Abbott said: “These are predominantly young people with their lives ahead of them, who’ve been influenced by the false and harmful ‘kudos’ of
Blunder blamed for no drink-drive charge
dealing class A drugs for cash.
Lorry driver Matthew Nolder was not charged with
intelligence, so we can work with the public to make our
drink-driving because of an administration blunder by
neighbourhoods a hostile place for these networks to operate
the police, we can reveal.
in.”
“We’ll continue working hard to gather and act on
The charge should have been formally put to the former I J McGill driver within six months, but it wasn’t. Avon & Somerset Police issued a statement this week in which they said: “Charges which are summary only offences, such as drink-driving, have a set period in which the charge needs to be formally put to the suspect. “On this occasion, there was an administrative error which meant the specified time period had lapsed, so the defendant could not be charged with this specific
Bristol Crown Court
offence. “He was subsequently charged with a more serious
sentence of two years in prison, compared to a maximum
charge of dangerous driving, which carries a higher maximum
sentence of six months’ imprisonment for drink-driving.”
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
3
Latest twist in cycle lane saga The ongoing saga of Keynsham High Street’s cycle lane has taken a new twist. The six councillors who represent Keynsham on Bath & North East Somerset Council had submitted a motion to Thursday’s full council meeting, demanding action to tackle the hazards of the cycle lane and warning that any further “cosmetic changes” would not stop falls and injuries. However, they withdrew it before the meeting. Since last March, Cllr Hal MacFie when the redesigned
THE WEEK IN Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, Stockwood, St George, Warmley, Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge.
High Street opened with a one-way system and contraflow cycle lane, reports began coming in of pedestrians falling. People have fractured bones, received head and facial injuries, lost teeth and suffered significant bruising. As of last month, the official casualty count was 76 although the six councillors say there are many more victims who have not reported it. Thursday’s cross-party motion, which was compiled by Cllr Hal MacFie, called for the cycle lane kerb and islands to go, and for the pavement kerb to be raised. But the ruling Lib Dem administration proposed an amendment, which the six councillors were unhappy with. In a joint statement they said: “We have received a proposed amendment which is not acceptable to us but does contain some specific criticisms that need to be addressed.” The councillors acknowledged that the council’s latest safety review has not yet been published and they have not been told the proposed actions nor the costs. They said they had decided to withdraw the motion and collect the evidence required with the intention to bring it forward at the next council meeting in November. “We regret this course of action as the issue remains unresolved, but we are confident that the new motion will have much
broader support.” Of the six councillors, four are Lib Dem - Andy Wait, Alex Beaumont and George Leach, as well as Cllr MacFie; David Biddleston is a Labour member and Cllr Alan Hale is a Conservative, as well as the council’s member advocate for road safety. In a separate press release, Cllr Hale said that approaches to the administration to date to deal with the cycle lane hazards had proved “fruitless”. He said that the administration’s amendment to the motion was “obviously aimed at using their majority in the chamber to crush the motion and prevent it being discussed again within six months”. Cllr Hale continued: “The cost of work to remove the problem comes up but I agree with the view of my group leader, Cllr Tim Warren CBE, that money should be found by stopping other remedial or development work to resolve this very real problem. The administration has found circa £10m to install a ring of steel in the city of Bath to protect it from terrorist activity, albeit that protection is only between 10am and 6pm. “It concerns me that someone who is frail and elderly is going to fall over the kerbs in our town and die, and despite the protestations of the administration that the cycle lane, etc. is built to regulations, they have been told of the concerns and the casualties on numerous occasions and done nothing.” There is an online petition at https://chng.it/HfLVnj8g6r See Letters, page 8
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The Week In Community Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA 0117 986 0381. www.theweekin.co.uk ISSN: 2052-9767 Publisher Editor Contributors
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4
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
‘Residents must be protected from further harm’ A motion brought by Labour members of Keynsham Town Council to put pressure on Bath & North East Somerset Council to sort out the cycle lane issue once and for all was unanimously passed last week. In a statement Cllr Dave Biddleston, who is both a town and B&NES ward councillor, highlighted “a significant danger” of constituents losing every confidence in B&NES Council and its ability to protect them from harm. “As a town council, and a separate body, we must ensure that everything that can be done is done to protect our residents from further harm. The ethical consideration of this situation should be clear and paramount and our only consideration.” He continued: “The considered response from B&NES officers and the administration has been that the road has been built to safety standards and according to law, but this seems ludicrously at odds with the injuries sustained.” He said B&NES needs to remove the central raised area “before they are further shamed as a council with more bruised and broken residents”. • Cllr Biddleston has told The Week In that it is time to pedestrianise the High Street. He acknowledged it would be inconvenient for some “but will create a more beautiful area that people can be happy to visit and spend money and be safe”.
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
5
6
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
Difficult choices on buses It was standing room only in Keynsham when more than 100 people responded to the invitation from Metro Mayor Dan Norris to discuss the future of tax-funded local bus services. The event at St John’s Church Hall last Monday night was the latest in a series of public events across the region and follows on from the Mayor’s ‘Big choices’ meetings which he hosted during the summer of 2022. Around 20% of our bus services are subsidised, paid for by residents through their council tax and handed over by the three local councils to the West of England Combined Authority (the local transport authority) through a levy. With cash-strapped councils under pressure from several other directions, the levy has not kept pace with inflation and this has resulted in a number of ‘lifeline’ bus services being axed in the last 18 months.
Mayor Norris explained that discussions he has about subsidised bus services are usually with council leaders or his own transport staff but he wanted to hear directly from the people who rely on those buses. He warned that without more money, difficult choices lay ahead and it is important that those decisions are taken based on strong evidence. “I’m prepared to make difficult decisions but I want to be transparent and honest about how it is,” he told the packed room. The audience was then split into groups and asked to prioritise a series of questions and statements about bus services while adding comments and suggestions of their own. The Mayor said he thought the chances of more money for buses coming from the councils via council tax are slim so the region needs to gather more hard evidence of the needs if it wants to make the case to Government.
A full house at St John's Church Hall
Make your voice heard before A4 Bath to Bristol consultation ends With the consultation on proposals for the A4 Bath to Bristol closing on Sunday (1st October), over 200 people attended a public meeting in Saltford Hall on Saturday. Parish council chair Cllr Jon Godfrey called the turnout “extraordinary” with strong community support for the response his council has already given to the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). The parish council says WECA’s proposals, which include bus lanes, provide no transport benefit for local residents and there are concerns about safety, congestion and pollution. Regarding the Saltford section of the route, WECA says there would be safer, easier and more direct options for cyclists and walkers, and faster and more reliable buses but fewer car parking spaces and the loss of some grass verges. There would be
a new one-way bus lane heading towards Bath between Broadmead roundabout and Saltford, and some sections of bus lane could also be created in Saltford. Another proposal is to review traffic signals to see if bus and car delays can be reduced. Meanwhile a drop-in session was held at The Space in Keynsham on Friday for local people to find out more about the proposals including for the Keynsham bypass where there would be bus lanes both sides, a dedicated route for walking, cycling and wheeling, a crossing, a speed reduction from 70mph to 50mph, and a mobility hub on the edge of Memorial Park. All feedback and comments will help shape the next design phase. For full details visit https://tinyurl.com/333mhv5r See also pages 8 & 12
Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news www.facebook.com/theweekin
The drop-in session at The Space in Keynsham
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
7
LETTERS designed to manipulate the result, I wonder? Is
buying a few of the cameras and I understand that
Combined Authority and the Metro Mayor need
Dear Becky
‘nothing decided yet’, again I wonder?
they are already being used in some areas.
to listen and get this right.
At the risk of repeating myself, Keynsham High
There are some admirable aims, such as providing
Steve Hicks
Duncan Hounsell
Street claims another victim. What a shocking
a bus stop along the Keynsham bypass, and some
picture you published (Issue 798) of the injuries
additional cycle links. This could be achieved at
sustained by the 90-year-old lady.
a low relative cost with some thought. It does not
This time the culprit was an uneven paving slab
require millions of pounds of our hard-earned
Metro Mayor needs to listen and get this right
and not the ill-fated cycle lane kerbs, although I
money to be spent on a great scheme claiming to
Dear Editor
doubt this is of any comfort to this unfortunate
“cut the jams and reduce pollution” with loads of
The directly elected West of England Combined
lady.
bus lanes, etc.
Authority (WECA) Metro Mayor, Dan Norris, has
In the same issue a letter from R Earle, and from
Currently when I travel by bus, by and large it
sole powers over strategic transport. WECA
RL Harris in Issue 799, both suggest that some
proceeds quite freely most of the time. We all
proposals for travel along the A4, and local roads
falls could be avoided if only we paid more
wish for better air quality. Any sensible person
in Saltford, have produced a strong reaction.
attention to where we are going. I find this very
will spot that restricting traffic only increases
Many residents are concerned about the possible
insulting.
pollution. The claim that these measures will
effects of the proposed changes including the
Perhaps if we all walked with our heads bowed
result in any improvement is questionable when
suggestion to introduce a bus lane on the
looking for trip hazards the problem would be
there is greater congestion caused by the
Keynsham bypass. I hope as many people as
reduced. Of course, not looking at where we are
proposals. There is clear evidence that increased
possible take part in the consultation which closes
going would result in us walking into people, thus
congestion increases nasty emissions.
on
knocking someone over? But hey, you win some,
There must be a better way of spending £500m
www.haveyoursaywest.co.uk
you lose some.
than on fancy proposals and on adverts for
I fully endorse the detailed and reasoned response
our
‘Dan Norris West of England Combined
to the consultation made by Saltford Parish
walkways/pavements should be free of such
Authority’. Why not spend most of it on
Council which can be read on the parish council
hazards, but as always after each reported
additional buses? A more convenient way to
website. The parish council has an excellent track
incident, with this latest one proving particularly
provide your comments is to email directly on
record on environment issues and improving the
painful for the lady concerned, Bath & North East
BathToBristol@WestofEngland-ca.gov.uk
public realm. Its views are significant and need to
Somerset Council remain silent. It’s easier to just
especially for those not computer literate.
be taken seriously.
sit on their hands as usual. I would say
Stephen Peliza
We do need to reduce car journeys and increase
unbelievable, only it’s not!
Keynsham
the use of public transport if we are to get to Net
High Street hazards
Keeping
it
serious
though,
-
1st
October
and
can
be
Let down by Royal Mail Dear Editor
found
at
Zero. I do support the general aim of improving
John Howlett Keynsham
B&NES councillor (Saltford ward)
the efficiency and reliability of the bus service on
I have recently been going through investigations for bowel cancer at Southmead Hospital, Bristol. Despite the disruption due to severe staff shortages and the very poor response of the Government to correct both this and the below inflation wages, the hospital and staff have been extremely efficient. However, their efforts have been sadly let down by the pathetic service provided by Royal Mail, who no longer deserve this title. I was lucky enough to hear a message by telephone today (19th September) asking me to verify I would be able to attend the appointment the next day. This appointment was sent first class from the hospital by mail on 14th September and despite living only 40 minutes away from the hospital we are still waiting for this to arrive! Even though there is a major sorting office for the area in Yate and the main sorting office for the region 10 minutes away in Patchway, we still have huge problems with mail delivery. Mr V McVeigh Yate
Get a speed camera
the A4. This does not mean introducing highway
Dear Becky
changes that are counter-productive, that do not
I read the letter in Issue 799 of The Week In from
take into account local knowledge, and which
a ‘Hanham resident’ regarding speeding in
alienate the public.
Dear Becky
Memorial Road. Although I no longer live in the
There has been communication between officers
Brian Withyman’s communication last week
area, I still take an interest.
at Bath & North East Somerset Council and
regarding the big shake-up of A4 travel raises
I understand that there is a scheme in the South
WECA but, to be clear, B&NES councillors learnt
pertinent comments.
West being run in conjunction with local councils
of the full set of WECA proposals just before the
Going the distance?
Furthermore, if you go to the West of England
which provides very reasonably priced official
consultation launch and local councillors have
Dear Editor
Combined Authority website link, it is very
speed cameras (around £500) that can be fixed to
never had an opportunity to publicly debate or
Understandably, people living in the Chandag
difficult to understand what is proposed and very
street furniture and operate in a similar way to
vote on them.
area in Keynsham are annoyed by the through
difficult to navigate. One is constrained in terms
Community SpeedWatch teams. That is the
B&NES Council is facilitating the consultation
traffic caused by the closing of the Wellsway, but
of what feedback one can give because there are
speeds are monitored and letters sent out by the
exercise, not endorsing WECA’s proposals.
if they did not live on the Chandag estate
fixed responses which limit the consultation
police. These cameras are being made available
I hear there will be a further WECA consultation
themselves, would they, in all integrity, willingly
response.
to any parish council which operates a
in 2024 based on the feedback from the current
travel to The Globe and back from Keynsham to
There is no indication of the cost and there are
Community SpeedWatch scheme.
consultation and the results of the traffic
get onto the Wellsway themselves?
prompted responses suggested. Would all this be
I know that my local parish council is looking into
modelling exercise. The West of England
B Charles
A4 proposals will cause more congestion
8
This letter has been copied to Thornbury & Yate MP Luke Hall, South Gloucestershire Council leader Claire Young, who is also the Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Thornbury & Yate, & the BBC’s Have Your Say
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
Bike project launches new fundraising scheme Warmley Wheelers, the bike project providing cycling opportunities for people with health conditions, supported needs and physical disabilities, has launched a new fundraising campaign. Due to the current economic climate, several of the project’s annual small grant streams are at risk of being reduced or withdrawn so one solution is the new 50 @ £50 scheme. Andy Underdown, coordinator of Warmley Wheelers, which is located next to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, said: “We already have financial support from four local sponsors - Shield Service Group, Keystone Bathrooms, Mark Richard Insurance Brokers and Medigold Health. We also benefit from support in kind from Jewson’s and N3 Display Graphics.
Interiors, Barrettine, J V Barrett and Co, N3 Display Graphics,
“We are looking to build on that base. The goal is for 50 local
Smart Lawns, Car Wizard, Chipping Sodbury Lions, Warmley
businesses, and perhaps some community-minded individuals,
Park School, Warmley Post Office, Warmley Waiting Room,
to each donate £50. This would make a huge difference to us,
MVS Autos, First Choice Toyota Specialist, FTP racing, Bristol
while hopefully not causing too much financial cost to them.
Rotary Club, and some generous individuals.
Also, as we are a charity, the donation is tax deductible.”
In return for a donation, you will receive a quarterly newsletter.
Warmley Wheelers has already started to roll out the scheme and
Contact Andy Underdown on 07587 034366 or email
has announced support so far from the following: Avent
warmleywheelers@milestonestrsust.org.uk
Solar panels for leisure club David Lloyd Leisure Club has been given the go-ahead by
ambitious carbon reduction plans and the locally generated
South Gloucestershire Council to install 520 roof-mounted
renewable electricity will be used at the site to help power
solar panels at its centre in Willowherb Road, Emersons
operations and reduce costs. The panels are designed to absorb
Green.
light, not reflect it, and will be finished with an anti-glare
The application seeking prior approval said the company has
coating.
Sudoku 1-Easy
SUNDAY CHEMISTS Sunday 1st October
2 -Hard
Boots, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green (10.30am-4pm) Asda, Longwell Green (10am-4pm) Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, BS31 2BH, (10am-4pm) Tesco, Callington Road, Brislington (10am to 4pm) Morrisons, 688-718 Fishponds Road, Fishponds (10am-4pm) Boots, Avonmeads Retail Park, St Philips Causeway, (11am-5pm)
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
9
Discount chain CM3 goes into liquidation
The Keynsham store
Discount chain CM3 has reportedly gone into
Closure date announced for anchor store
liquidation. It had stores including in
It has been confirmed that Kings Chase Shopping Centre in
Keynsham High Street, Regent Street in
Kingswood will lose one of its anchor stores next month.
Kingswood, and Church Road in Redfield.
Wilko will close for good on Tuesday 3rd October. The
The shops sold products including cards,
discount chain fell into administration in August and
partyware, gifts and DIY items.
following a sale, many of the shelves at the store are already
A message posted on Facebook by CM3 staff
bare.
last Wednesday said: “It is with regret we have
Some Wilko units across the country have been saved by
gone into liquidation. As of today, all our stores
rival discount firms B&M and Poundland, and The Range
are closed. Staff would like to thank each and
has bought the Wilko brand in a reported £5m deal.
every one of our customers for their support over
The shutters will come down at the Union Street branch in
the years.”
Bristol on the same day as the Kingswood branch. The one
Comments on Facebook following the closure
in Clifton closes on Thursday 5th October. The branch at
of the Regent Street store include: “Since last
Avonmeads Retail Park has already closed and the
Christmas we've lost Shaw’s, New Look, Wilko
Bedminster store, which is set to close tomorrow
is closing and now CM3.”
(Thursday), is one of those that will become a Poundland.
Another observed: “We need to support the remaining stores in Kingswood.”
Shanty Sunday
Reaction from customers on social media following the closure
The Port of Bristol Shanty Crew sing shanties for fun
today (Wednesday) just before they were told to leave. It’s so
whilst raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and
sad.”
have raised well over £18,000 since last summer.
Another said: “It was a little gem of a shop for Keynsham.
A shanty afternoon with a number of other local groups is
Thank you to the staff who worked there.”
of the Keynsham store included: “The staff were literally told
taking place at The Boathouse at Newbridge this Sunday (1st October) from 12.30pm to 6.30pm. Find out more about the crew at
Keep in touch, let us know what you think, send us your news
https://pobshantycrew.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/theweekin
Crossword
ACROSS
DOWN
1. Midwest US state (9)
1. Artificial hair (3)
6. Hat (3)
3. Augury (4)
8. Female deity (7)
4. Female sibling (6)
9. Big (5)
5. African river (4)
10. Financial
6. Cut back (7)
institution (4)
7. Before long (9)
11. Affirmative (3)
10. Spectator (9)
13. Curse (4)
11. Alpine call (5)
14. Value (5)
12. Cooker (5)
16. Holy (6)
14. Sebaceous cyst (3)
18. Market for goods (6)
15. Tint (3)
19. Audacity (5) 21. Distant (4) 22. Untruth (3) 23. Pale (4) 27. Lament (5)
The Kings Chase branch
2. Portable chair (5)
17. Vexation (7) 20. Cutting tool (6) 24. Playground item (5) 25. Join metal (4) 26. Perceive sound (4) 29. Consume (3)
28. Barren (7) 30. Move quickly (3) 31. Utterly (9)
10
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
Mounting concerns over new homes on land untouched for at least a century Concerns over plans to build seven detached houses next to
the treated effluent would be highly
the Siston Brook in Oldland Common, which we first
visible. The report adds that the
featured in Issue 796, are mounting.
Environment Agency would ultimately
The planning application lodged with South Gloucestershire
decide on the viability of the proposal, but
Council by Stantonbury (Oldland) Ltd for The Willows
it doesn’t appear that a licence application
now has more than 170 objections, and 24 comments in
has been submitted.
support.
Concerned residents want the plans
There is a vacant house and several outbuildings on the site
‘called in’ by ward councillors so that the
which is accessed from the bottom of California Road. There are
development management committee can
objections about the impact on wildlife and concerns about the
make a decision following a debate in
access, the proposed number of homes and the private sewage
public, rather than the decision being
treatment plant.
delegated to council officers.
How the homes would look: Picture credit: BBA Architects and Planners
Among the comments is one from a nearby resident who says the land has been untouched apart from animal grazing for at least 100 years which is why it is so rich in biodiversity, An independent ecology report commissioned by some concerned local residents says that the applicant’s biodiversity net gain claim of +15 is a positive outcome but only the summary sheet has been provided online and further evidence needs to be shown, given that the amount of hard-surfacing and developed land totals almost three-quarters of the site. The independent report says that the bat survey carried out did not include two surveys two weeks apart, as recommended. It says the site’s proposed treatment plant has capacity for 30 people but the new homes would have a possible total of 56 people and in dry weather, Siston Brook has very little flow and
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
Dumped freezer leads to fly-tipping conviction An Emersons Green man has been ordered to pay £1,492 in
‘Free to collector’. It was removed for disposal.
fines and costs after South Gloucestershire Council
The area is covered by CCTV which showed Brunt wheeling
prosecuted him for fly-tipping.
the freezer from the rear of an address on Regent Street, and
Lee Brunt, 47, of Clematis Road, appeared at Bristol
across South Road car park. The appliance was left in the
Magistrates’ Court last Monday where he pleaded guilty and
street and Brunt walked away. As his property backed on to
was fined £700, along with £512 in costs and a £280 victim
the car park, Brunt said he believed that the best location to
surcharge. The court heard that on 22nd June street cleansing
place the freezer was on the pavement outside so as not to
workers discovered a freezer had been fly-tipped in South
obstruct vehicles. He accepted that this was some distance
Road, Kingswood. It was on the paved area just outside the
away from his flat and that anyone finding the freezer would
car park, on council land, and had a note attached which read
not know which property it had come from.
11
The Community Page
Saltford Parish Council Have your say: ‘A4 Bath-Bristol’ WECA consultation At the time of going to press on 27 September, the ‘A4 Bath to Bristol’ transport consultation will only be open for another few days (end date Sunday 1 October). The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) consultation includes proposals for the A4 through Saltford, and SPC appreciated receiving a presentation from WECA at its September meeting. Saltford Parish Council resolved a comprehensive and robust response objecting to many of the proposals based on a range of concerns. These included the negligible benefit of
proposed new 24/7 bus lanes on bus journey times, the introduction of which would likely result in substantial A4 congestion in Saltford that buses would be caught up in (as well as thousands of other vehicle users) and the subsequent negative impact on many – including on cyclists and pedestrians - of rat-running on residential roads. Concerns also included increased air and noise pollution, a negative impact on active travel, reduced safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and the loss of a key pedestrian crossing point on the A4. In its response SPC also requested continued fairer bus
Replacement phone box at Norman Road Many residents are pleased to have a ‘K6’ BT
flowers as a gift to the Saltford community.
kiosk back where the previous one stood for
SPC has arranged for National Grid to
over five decades, prior to it being destroyed
reconnect electricity to the phone box, and the
in a Road Traffic Accident in 2022. SPC’s
Parish Council is in talks with a local business
replacement phone box was installed in late
to purchase a defibrillator. Watch this space
June thanks to Lee Bignell and the Mobius
for more on this community project!
Group team who gave their time and expertise
Photo L-R: Cllr Jon Godfrey (SPC Chair),
to oversee its placement. The team at Flourish
Anita (Mobius Group) and Marina (Flourish
at Glenavon Farm has since filled it with
at Glenavon Farm)
fares for Saltford residents as successfully campaigned for by SPC and for WECA to invest in e-buses and e-bus infrastructure. SPC also maintained its view that WECA needs to invest in re-opening Saltford railway station if it is to achieve a true scalable and integrated public transport system. The ‘news’ section on SPC’s website has a copy of SPC’s full response. Residents are encouraged to express their views to WECA by the consultation end date, please visit www.haveyoursaywest.co.uk on how to do this via online survey, by email or in writing.
Saltford keeps buzzing! Residents were invited to attend a B&NES
planting likely to take place in December by
Parks drop-in event during the summer to
pupils from nearby Saltford Primary School.
discuss pollinator project ideas for Saltford.
Other outcomes include installation of ‘bug
This followed receipt of WECA funding by
hotel benches’ and the creation of two nearby
B&NES Council earlier in the year (SPC was
areas of wildflower meadow.
one of only two Parish Councils as named
Photo L-R: B&NES Council Parks Officer,
partners in the bid). SPC was pleased to be
Saltford Ward Cllr Duncan Hounsell and SPC
informed following the event that plans were
Cllr Phil Harding at Claverton Road play
in place to plant three pollinator friendly trees
park, with artwork created by local children
by the Claverton Road play park, with
as part of the event.
SPC requests lower speed limits on Saltford’s lanes SPC has requested that B&NES Council carry out a Traffic Regulation Order to reduce speed limits down from 60mph on lanes
First public EV charging points coming to Saltford
frequently used by pedestrians, cyclists and
SPC welcomes the news that B&NES
driveway to enable them to safely charge at
horse riders in the south of the village.
Council’s Wedmore Road car park has been
home. They will also be of benefit to those
Sections of highway include Longwood Lane,
identified as one of around eight locations in
using Saltford Hall, Saltford Sports Club and
as well as Manor Road and Courtenay Road
the B&NES area to benefit from WECA
Saltford Tennis Club. The number and type of
between Saltford and Keynsham. As well as
funding for public EV charging point
EV charging points are yet to be confirmed,
enjoyed by many for their views over
lowering the speed limit at these locations in
installation. The charging stations will be
and SPC awaits further information from
countryside and woodland, these roads are
the interests of safety (Image shows
available for everyone to use and will
B&NES Council about the timescale for their
often used by many on foot or bicycle to
Longwood Lane, photo taken by Cllr Phil
specifically benefit those who do not have a
installation.
travel to work and school. SPC has requested
Harding).
12
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
Historic venue offers free video sessions Thanks to funding support from the Quartet Community Foundation, the trust that owns the Grade I listed Whitfield Tabernacle in Kingswood has been able to engage the services of a videographer and recording engineer to produce videos of local musicians performing inside the partially restored building. The Tabernacle is offering six-one hour sessions on Sunday (1st October) where local performers can have a video professionally produced against the interesting backdrop of the original 1741 Tabernacle walls. The videos will be for the performers to use as they wish, but the trust will retain the right to
use the video on its website. “When our development work is completed, we hope the Tabernacle will provide an attractive community building and performance space for Kingswood and the wider area,” said trust secretary Kim Scudamore. “Our offer of a free video session is to help us connect with local music-makers and give them an idea of what we hope to have in the future. For technical reasons, these particular sessions will not be suitable for large bands with drum kits, or singers performing over a pre-recorded soundtrack. They will be suitable for individual musicians and
accompanied singers and small groups. Nonmusical performers are also welcome to apply.” Interested performers will have to register
their interest and discuss technical details. Contact Kim.Scudamore@whitfieldtabernacle.org or call 0117 9322723.
Harvest auction raises £1,634 The annual harvest auction held in Upton Cheyney last Monday in aid of the Bitton and Oldland branch of the Royal British Legion raised £1,634. The event was held at Manor Farm as the
usual venue, The Upton Inn, is currently closed and up for sale. Dawn Harrill, Poppy Appeal organiser, is pictured with David Hawking, the host and auctioneer.
Community Expo
The restored south wall of the Tabernacle
The new Staple Hill and Mangotsfield Parish Council is holding a Community Expo on Saturday 14th October to give local community organisations the opportunity to tell councillors
Pink spotlight on organ donation
and the public what opportunities they offer. The event will take place in the main hall of Page Community Association in Staple Hill from 1.30pm to 4pm.
City Hall in Bristol was lit up in pink to mark NHS Organ Donation Week. Pink is the colour of the NHS Organ
Situations Vacant
Donor Card and the venue joined with many other iconic buildings across the UK to raise awareness. More than 7,000 people currently need a life-saving transplant, but there are only around 1,400 organ donors each year. Only 1% of people die in circumstances where organ donation is possible. An organ donor has the potential to save or
is a registered organ donor, said “The more
improve nine lives - and even more if tissues
people across Bristol and the UK that we
such as corneas and heart valves are donated.
reach, the more people who will register to
Last week’s awareness campaign was aiming
become organ donors after they die, and the
to get 25,000 more people to register their
more lives we save.”
organ donation decision and discuss it with
Find out more at
friends and family.
//www.organdonation.nhs.uk/get-
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, who himself
involved/organ-donation-week-2023/
The Week in • Wednesday 27th September 2023
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